Pennsylvania lawmakers legalized slot machines -- and later, table games -- on the promise tax revenue would help reduce Pennsylvanians’ property tax bills. But with casino revenues stabilizing after several years of operation and nearly all of the allowed casinos operating, taxpayers enrolled in the state’s homestead and farmstead exclusion program are seeing an average $200 savings on their school property tax bills.

For some people, like Mars Borough, Butler County resident Carol Kenny, it’s not enough to make a difference. This year, the reduction Kenny will see on her tax bill is $57.

That’s despite the fact that in 2012, Pennsylvania raked in more tax revenue from casinos than any other state, collecting nearly $1.5 billion. (Related link: Property tax FAQ)

Some residents are seeing more savings. In the New Kensington-Arnold School District, residents enrolled in the homestead program will see a $305 reduction on their tax bills this year.

"It's all over the board in terms of the amounts, but at the end of the day, this has been a benefit for every single homeowner in Pennsylvania,” said state Sen. Jay Costa, D-Allegheny County.

Costa says money the state collects from casinos for property tax relief is divided by school district, favoring low-wealth, high-tax-burden areas. The distribution is calculated through a formula maintained by the state Department of Education. According to the state, every eligible homeowner in each school district receives the same amount of savings regardless of the value of his or her home. Additionally, residents are not mailed a check. Instead, the savings are listed as a reduction on the resident’s school property tax bill. (Related link: Tax relief amounts by school district)

“I've heard from a lot of people who believe they don't get any property tax relief, but they just don't see it because it is deep in their mortgage bills; but it's there,” Costa said.

State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler County, said legalizing gambling in Pennsylvania was a mistake.

"People are looking for substantial relief to the property tax problem,” Metcalfe said.

Metcalfe says the casinos aren’t delivering the amount of tax relief promised by lawmakers who supported legalizing slots and table games. And as more people are approved for the program, Metcalfe says the size of the tax reduction each property owner sees could shrink. Metcalfe says the state’s formula for distributing the money it collects unfairly creates winners and losers. (Related link: Homestead and Farmstead property tax relief application)

"Instead of giving every property tax payer the same type of relief, they want to play with a formula that ultimately drives it into other areas,” Metcalfe said.